Vegas Uncork’d: Dinner Gala

While the guests were registering their presence, getting their assigned table and mingling about, drinks and hors-d’oeuvres were being served.

Local food critic (and lawyer) John Curtas emceed the event.

I was assigned a number to one of the dining tables at the gala.

Before each course was served, the chef gave a cooking demonstration of the dish, which kept the interest level high.

hot & cold blue fin toro, yuzu “au poivre”, asian greens

2007 pazo san mauro albarino, rias baixas, spain

michael mina

alaskan king crab, morel velouté, sweet peas spuma, spring pea tendrils

2005 selbach oster riesling kabinett, mosel, germany

todd english

roasted côtelette of quail, ragoût of green lentils du puy, lavender mustard, aged balsamic vinegar

2004 finca monasterio rioja, spain

julian serrano

beef tenderloin, grilled foie gras dumplings, miso-mustard butter

2005 gramercy cellars syrah, walla walla valley, washington

jean-georges vongerichten

sweet taste of bellagio

2002 château de fargues, sauternes, france

jean philippe maury

An adjacent room opened up and all sorts of desserts were waiting to be eaten. Talk about kids in a candy shop!

Although the Bon Appetit conference ended on Saturday night for me with that dinner gala, my vacation continued on into Sunday and Monday. At this point, a time to pause and ponder over what transpired those past three days in the merry month of May 2008 at Caesar’s, Bellagio, Wynn, et al.

Vegas Uncork’d: Alex

On Saturday noon, an elegant lunch at Alex, hosted by Dorie Greenspan and Alex Stratta, was held over at the Wynn. As the luncheon guests entered inside Alex Restaurant, we were escorted to the garden in the back:

Appetizers were served:

We were then directed back into the dining room to be seated and the luncheon began:

At the table I was seated at, there was a couple from Chicago. and across from me, Paolo Barbieri, the head sommelier of Alex, and his guest Erin, who is one of the servers at Cut Restaurant over at the Palazzo. And seated to my left, Dorie Greenspan ...

Ravioli a la Monegasque with sweetbreads, Swiss chard and red wine reduction

Caduceus Cellars Nagual de la Naga 2005

Salad of duck confit and foie gras with dried cherry gratin

Caduceus Cellars Nagual del Sensei 2005

Crispy roasted salmon with rhubarb, endive and red wine-lobster sauce

Barbieri Wine Company Colson Canyon Vineyard 2006

Wagyu beef with pancetta, bone marrow and black truffle

Barbieri Wine Company Three Creek Vineyard 2006

Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate

Madeleines

That was a fantastic lunch! And seating next to Dorie Greenspan made it even better ...

Dorie Greenspan and Alex Stratta

Alex

Wynn Las Vegas

3131 Las Vegas Blvd. South

Las Vegas, NV 89109

(702) 248-DINE (3463)

Vegas Uncork’d: Grand Tasting, Sip and Stroll

Friday night’s Tasting, Sip and Stroll

Talk about an event! Outside of Caesar’s Palace on their Roman Plaza in a huge tent with over three dozen restaurants, wineries, food and beverage companies represented. Hundreds of people waiting to get in, to see and be seen. Many famous chefs were in attendance, including Wolfgang Puck, Richard Chen, Hubert Keller, Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken. Silent auction. Book signings by Alan Richman, Dorie Greenspan, Cat Cora, Barbara Fairchild et al. French television crews interviewing French chefs like Joel Robuchon, Daniel Boulud, François Payard, Guy Savoy, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera ... What a scene!

Everybody was getting into the act!

A representative from Stella Artois coaxed me into trying this combination of their Leffe Ale with some key lime cheesecake. I sipped the Leffe Ale first. I ate a piece of cheesecake and drank some more of the ale. It was so smooth!! It blended so well together!! The cheesecake and the Leffe Ale didn't fight with one another!! I was blown away!!

Susan Feniger of Border Grill; Eric Klein of Spago Las Vegas; John Curtas of KNPR with One Hot Tamale